Green Mountain Boys Flag – Update on the Green Mountain Boys

This update for the earlier post, A Little Piece of American History– Green Mountain Boys, is due to information provided by Stephen Perkins, Executive Director of the Vermont Historical Society. I appreciate his taking the time to send me a note on the subject. The flag typically associated with the Green Mountain Boys Flag actually belonged to General John Stark of the New Hampshire militia. Stark created that flag from a captured box of generic flags, painting the stars on the blue field. Stark used the flag at the battle of Bennington leading his militia. Estimates of 250 to 350 Green Mountain Boys led by Seth Warner, reinforced Stark’s position when his militia faltered.

Stark’s flag was incorrectly linked to the Green Mountain Boys in the 20th century and has even been adopted by the Vermont National Guard who are known as the Green Mountain Boys.

General John Stark

The historic Green Mountain Boys did not have a flag. What remains of General John Stark’s flag resides at the Bennington Museum in Bennington, Vermont.